That should be a mantra women should constantly say out loud or place in beautiful frames around themselves so they can see it all the time. Everywhere we look as women, there are so many ideas of how we should look, who we should be, what we should wear that will make us look sexy and appealing, the list goes on and on.
How about just accepting who we are; that we may not be a size 8 but we still look good as a size 16. That not all of us will have long flowing sleek hair a la hair commercial but some of us will have days when our hair may not obey a comb (naturalistas, I totally get it!). That not everyone will have natural hair and it's okay if you want to relax your hair (yes, I am going there too!). Sometimes, we just need to take a moment, stare in a mirror, accept how we look and own it.
Why am I focussing on looks today? Because I did two things that made me think about looks. First, I created a photo using the #BornandMade page (https://www.bornandmade.com) and posted on my Instagram page (@bunmilicious). I watched the videos of other women who were owning their game and were encouraging other women to just be themselves. And second, I had to get dressed for work and was fussing about how I looked; and realised I was doing what that photo was trying to help me not do. I was focussing on how people would expect me to look instead of just dressing for me and what made me feel good.
I actually asked God on my drive to catch my train afterwards, why do we do what I did? Why did I fuss and think I didn't look good enough because I was rocking my natural hair? And you know what His answer was? Darling, you've been sold a lie that if you don't look a particular way, you aren't good enough, pretty enough, beautiful enough. And you know what else, the media doesn't help. Women themselves don't help. Instead of encouraging each other to be uniquely themselves, they compare and compete instead, tear down and sell the wrong message.
So beautifully made ladies, own your beauty. Own your style. Own your gift. Own that kinky or coily hair. Own that sleek hair. Own that scar that makes you unique (I have a scar on my face that for a long time I thought was ugly and detracted from my beauty). Own that waistline that may not as slim as you want it. Own those hips that you may think are too big. Own those skinny legs. Own everything that makes you uniquely you! The world will thank you for it (in time)
And if you are a guy reading this, please encourage the women in your life. They need to hear it from you too.
Lots of love,
Bunmi
(Made with Love, Grace and Mercy)
